We were lucky to catch up with Terika Floyd recently and have shared our conversation below.
Terika, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My resilience comes from my Dad telling me, when I was learning how to tie my shoes “There is no such thing as I can’t”. At the time I was frustrated ,because my laces wouldn’t cooperate and form the ” bunny ear”. So I remember thinking to myself “I can’t” … Then, later on, as I would grow and reach various milestones in life that phrase, same phrase from my Father ,in his voice and tone would echo in my head, as a reminder taking me back to tying my shoes. Immediately, I was reminded how the shoes got tied, because I tied them, I refused to believe my own narrative of “I can’t”.
Fast forward to my adult life, that resilience cultivated into a full garden planted in my soul. I found myself a single mom, while going to Graduate School and working full time, completing the program with a Honor Society Induction!
In February 2021 diagnosed with COVID 19 , which culminated into long covid-lasting 300 days, I literally leaned on God for every breath, and strength and pushed myself with the hope of ” There is no such thing as I can’t” as I was in recovery and cognitive therapy to heal parts of my brain memory impacted, by the virus.
Currently losing my Father this past March 2024, I felt the “wind get knocked out of me”, a low below the belt punch as best as I can describe. I felt I couldn’t go on , let alone plan a funeral when all I wanted to do was sit in a corner and grieve. But that still small voice ,”There is no such thing as I can’t ” echoed and I picked up the pieces and persevered in getting what needed to be done and push through, even until today!
My Dad from the very beginning taught me the meaning of resilience , though he is no longer here, I carry that gift with me no matter what mountain I face.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
At this point in my life, I am super focused , on building Community! Over the past few years , I have founded a non profit ministry called Community Brings Learning, along with a dear friend of mine Evelyn Bonilla. I enjoy problem solving, creative thinking and finding solutions to problems plaguing our dear beloved Community of North Camden NJ. Though I may not have all the answers, or able to help every single person I come in contact with, I truly enjoy being an advocate and a resource for the under served , social economic disadvantage population of the city, which I was raised in. It brings me great joy to do what I do each and everyday, to hear folks stories and remind them that there is hope.
As a 501 c (3) charitable organization, We are dedicated to building community in North Camden, and surrounding areas. We are committed to SERVE through our SPREAD LOVE Community Missions, Service Learning Youth Program and Our Dream Big Community Public Garden started in North Camden, feeding those heavily impacted by the regional food desert. We help Camden community with hope and love through hot meals, toiletry essentials, providing access to fresh farm food crops growing, in our Dream Big Community Garden for neighbors, we using these initiatives as tools to educate and empower of Community, with what’s needed to combat the cycles of poverty.
I spent much of my growing up drawing and painting , as a way an outlet growing up, later majored in Art at Rowan University. My creativity gets ignited when I am out in the community serving, so I spend a lot of my past time creating pottery, photography capturing God in nature. Many of my most recent pieces can be seen in my new book “The Resilience of Heart” Being Carried Despite of Vulnerability of my silent afflictions , now available on amazon, Book signing Events coming in 2025 !
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Most impactful skills and qualities attributed to my journey, are the skills of : persistence, work ethic and community!
The advice I have for folks early in their journey is no matter what life throws your way, stay persistent! You may get 1,000 “No’s” ,but that one “Yes”, will change the entire trajectory of your life, persistence is key no matter the immediate outcome!
Work ethic, stay disciplined, self discipline though easy to say and harder to carry out, it is essential to get to the next step in your journey.
Community, Community may not look familiar and it’s even better, when it doesn’t. Surrounding yourself with a community of individuals, whom already possess the skills your seeking to develop is imperative! For example, if you lack self discipline hang around folks that have self discipline. Being around people who excel in those skills you are weak at will teach you strategies and ways to improve upon them. Community is also essential because it is a support system. We all need each other, we are social creatures, your “Community” is the group of individuals that may or may not be blood related, but what they are for sure are individuals that show up for you , that guide you and support you in your journey no matter the cost, folks that can help you stand when you are weak, that cheer you own. Community is your village, once you find community they become your personally chosen family.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Become a Spread Love Missions Ambassador, It starts with You!
We are looking for folks to collaborate with us on our SPREAD LOVE MISSIONS Initiatives! We are currently looking for Ambassadors . Becoming a Spread Love Missions Ambassador, means so much to those impacted by our ministry, it helps to give individuals in our community a chance to experience hope and love. All donations are tax deductible.
Visit us www.communitybringslearning.org
We are always looking for volunteers with our Dream Big Garden Initiative and our Teen Youth Program. Folks who are dedicated and ready to serve either on the front end or back end with coordinating details and logistics behind the scenes
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.communitybringslearning.org
- Instagram: Community Brings Learning
- Facebook: Community Brings Learning
- Youtube: Community Brings Learning
- Other: My Art Portfolio : Instagram : andreas_artz
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
